A Special Prayer

At church yesterday, while waiting for Mass to start, a special prayer I've known since I was a child came to mind. I remember growing up in the Philippines that everyday at exactly 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the TV stations would interrupt their programs and the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is frozen on the TV screens. I remember also when I was in college at a Catholic University (USJ-R), everyone would pause and the prayer would reverberate throughout the campus on the speakers.

The prayer was simply called,

The Three O'Clock Prayer

You died Jesus, but the source of life
flowed out for souls
and the ocean of mercy
opened up for the whole world.
Oh, fountain of life,
immeasurable divine mery,
cover the whole world
and empty yourself out upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One
Have mercy on us and the whole world
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One
Have mercy on us and the whole world
Holy God, Holy Might One, Holy Immortal One
Have mercy on us and the whole world.
Amen.

Then at 6pm, the church bells would toll and the radio stations interrupt their programming and the "Angelus" would resonate on the airwaves.
I somehow miss all that, that structured prayer schedule. It forced us (me) to pause and reflect. In our busy lives these days, too often, there is no time set aside (or left, seemingly) for prayers.

"A Walk to Remember": A Movie to Remember

I don't know why it took me such a long time to see this movie. It came out eight years ago and where was I? I read the book back in 2006 (a very good friend of mine lent it to me) but was not compelled enough to see the movie. Don't get me wrong. I loved the book but I just didn't want my love for the book to be ruined by my high expectations of the movie. Anyway, more than a week ago, I was looking for something to watch when I saw it on HBO. So I recorded it. It started at about 11pm. I stayed up to watch it and I just had to finish it. I cried my eyes out. Then I got up early the next morning and watched it again before the kids woke up. I cried again. Thus, my obsession began. I haven't been obsessed about a movie in this magnitude since "Pride and Prejudice." I'd say my obsession with "A Walk to Remember" is more than I've ever had before. I now have the DVD, the soundtrack CD and bought a copy and re-read the book. It has impacted me on an intimate level emotionally and spiritually like no other movie had.

Margie's List of Things to Do Before Summer is Over (In No Particular Order)

1. Read at least 3 good books.
*The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes by Tess Uriza Holthe
*Cape Light by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer
*A Walk to Remember (re-read) by Nicholas Sparks
*Home Song (A Cape Light Novel) by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer
*The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
*Miles to Go by Miley Cyrus
*Emma by Jane Austen
2. Paint my toenails red.
*Done.
3. Learn to play at least one song on the guitar.
*Everthing I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams - still learning.
4. Take the boys to the zoo once a month.
*June - twice
*July - once
*August - once
5. Go to State Fair. (August 5-15)
*Didn't make it.
6. Take the boys to the movies once a month.
*June - once (Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel)
*July - once (Planet 51)
*August - Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Tooth Fairy; Furry Vengeance
7. Memorize Corinthians 13:4 by heart.
*DONE!
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. It is not boastful or conceited. It is not rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. It does not take pleasure in other people's sins; but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes."
8. Get lost in a good movie.
*A Walk to Remember
9. Write a poem.
*"Summer"
10. Go to a Brewers' game.
*Brewers vs. San Diego Padres, 8/22/10

Lastly: Laugh, sing, pray and count my blessings every single day.